Over the course of several days, Nike Sportswear at 21 Mercer Street underwent another transformation, in the occasion as one of several exhibition centerpieces for the upcoming World Basketball Festival. On appearance, the metamorphosis seemed like an overnight process. However, the renewal took several days and its preparation going back event further. Similar to the Brasil Pitch Black conversation of the storefront with SPETO of Brazil, Nike and Nike Basketball sought help from Earsnot of IRAK NYC for actualization of the theme, 1LOVE – Locally Celebrated.

Chain-linked fence, graffiti strewn walls, faded posters of yesteryear, the 1LOVE Locally Celebrated theme looks at the game of basketball not from multi-million dollars contract, screaming fans, and colossal arena aspect. Instead, it is at the streetlevel, the tar-blacken courts behind housing projects, the concrete playgrounds of the 5 boroughs. This is the true testament of the sport, where trophies and prizes are afterthoughts. All that matter are commitments, skill sets, and the love of the game, conveyed all on point at Nike Sportswear 21 Mercer.